Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted, with an initial rating of 50% effective November 9, 2009. The issue of Depression with Paranoia remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and several other conditions are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for knee, shoulder, headache, sleep apnea, and diabetes disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since September 12, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The rating for hemorrhoids remains noncompensable, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating is remanded. Service connection for back disability and PTSD are also remanded due to insufficient evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are granted service connection, while his hypertension, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and residuals of TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective May 14, 2014. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. A 50 percent rating was granted for unspecified depressive disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development. The issues include psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and its complications, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, lumbar DDD, compression fracture, mild bulging post-surgical L5-S1 discectomy surgery with radiculopathy, unspecified depressive disorder, and migraines and tension headaches have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for lumbar radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for depressive disorder is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been achieved.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 15, 2014 for TDIU is denied due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the October 2010 denial.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and left knee instability are remanded as additional examination is needed to assess range of motion in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee instability is remanded as additional examination is needed to assess range of motion in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis is remanded as additional examination is needed to assess range of motion in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board does not find any evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating, and his tension headaches are granted a 50% disability rating. The award of SMC at the housebound rate from November 20, 2012 has been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, needs further evaluation due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety, depression, other substance use disorder, and PTSD), and TDIU due to lack of a diagnosed disability in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and to determine its severity from November 2009 to the present.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding secondary service connection.